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First Football Read: Leading Contenders for 2018/19 Champions League Crown

A brief read looking at the likely chances of four leading contenders for the 2018/19 UEFA European Champions League competition.

The Champions League is soon reaching a decisive point in the exciting group stages, as the top clubs from Europe look to secure their respective spots in the next round.

It's in the knockout stages that the big games spring up and the top names in the sport grab the headlines, but there is still all to play for in the concluding group games this term.

With so much on the line in the coming weeks, the biggest and best sides will be desperate to get over the line quickly and concentrate on targeting that prestigious piece of silverware next year.

So, ahead of plenty more big upcoming clashes in Europe's elite club competition, here are the leading contenders to scoop the biggest and most distinguished prize available in club football.

Manchester City

Premier League champions Manchester City are currently seen as 3/1 front runners for the Champions League from William Hill after another strong start to the season under manager Pep Guardiola.

The reigning and defending Premier League champions have made another sublime start to proceedings domestically, as they sit pretty at the top of the standings in England's top tier division.

While they continue to dominate in their domestic league, the grand European prize has still managed to elude them. Can they change that this season? Guardiola, a former Champions League winner with Barcelona, will hope so.

Barcelona

La Liga outfit Barcelona were the previously dominant force in Europe until bitter El Clasico rivals Real Madrid achieved the monumental and historic feat of earning three consecutive trophy wins in the competition.

The Catalan giants are now out to put things right by ending their rival's three-year dominance in the Champions League. Although, they have stuttered somewhat during their domestic duties in Spain too.

Juventus

Italian giants Juventus came up short in the 2015 Champions League final against a star-studded Barcelona side, despite boasting the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba in their ranks back then.

Since then the Turin titans have maintained their usual supremacy within Serie A, winning league title after league title. But this season they have one ace in the pack that could turn European proceedings in their favour, and that's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The all-time record goalscorer in the Champions League arrived at the club from Real Madrid last summer and Juve are now regarded at a promising 11/2 to win the European Cup. If they do so this would remarkably see Ronaldo have got four successive winners medals.